Inflatable prosthesis

ABSTRACT

An improved surgically implantable mammary prosthesis comprising an inflatable shell and a filling stem for said shell for introduction of a filling fluid to inflate the shell. At the point of introduction of the stem into the shell, there is provided a capsule of sealing gel through which the stem passes. After implantation and inflation, the stem is withdrawn either wholly or partially and the gel in the capsule seals the stem outlet against leakage of the inflating fluid. The inflation system is also suitable for prostheses other than mammary prostheses.



1. In an inflatable prosthetic device for replacing a body part or supplementing a body contour comprising a collapsible closed shell and a filling stem for introducing fluids into said shell, the improvement which comprises: said filling stem having at least one exit port therein and being mounted in a manner such that it is freely slideable into and out of the volume bounded by said shell to position said exit port in communication with said shell volume and a body of viscous jellylike material affixed to said shell and surrounding said filling stem at the point where said stem passes through the shell wall into the volume bounded by said shell whereby said viscous material flows to seal at least the exit port when the stem is withdrawn to the point where the exit port is surrounded by said viscous material.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said body of viscous material is confined in a capsule having a thin flexible wall which is adhered to the interior surface of said shell surrounding the point of introduction of said stem into the volume bounded by said shell, said stem protruding into said volume beyond the innermost wall of said capsule and being freely slideable with respect thereto.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein fibrous reinforcement is provided on said capsule wall surrounding the point of entry of said stem from said capsule into the volume bounded by said shell.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the inner termination of said stem is sealed and is provided with a limiting flange to prevent said stem from being pulled completely from said shell; said exit port in said stem being located in the sidewall of said stem and said flange being designed to rest against the wall of said capsule when said stem is withdrawn to its limiting position.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said inflatable prosthetic device is a mammary prosthesis.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said mammary prosthesis is made from a suitable physiologically inert material adapted for surgical implantation within the human breast. 